Walsall blazing trail to Wembley

Excitement has reached fever pitch as thousands of fans head to the capital for tomorrow's Johnstone's Paint Trophy final against Bristol City.

More than 29,000 tickets have been snapped up in support of the Super Saddlers.

Some fans queued up throughout the night to get their hands on the seats they wanted for the big day.

It was the end of January when the club secured its first ever trip to the home of English football, but after the long wait the momentous occasion is all but here.

There are sure to be a mixture of emotions as fans head down by coach, minibus, car and train for the much anticipated game.

And with supporters from Bristol City it is expected more than 70,000 fans will be inside Wembley for the game - making it one of the biggest attended worldwide this weekend.

There are still some tickets to buy from Wembley stadium on the day, subject to availability.

Boss Dean Smith said everyone at the club was relishing the match.

He said: "I don't know how many weeks it has been since the semi-final but there have been 11 games.

"It has been a real steady build-up.

"Just to hear things, like people telling me it will be the biggest supported game in Britain this weekend, with the exception of El Classico, in Europe.

"It is a game we are all looking forward to and we can't wait for it."

There are almost 50 official club coaches while dozens of independent companies are also ferrying supporters to the national stadium.

Scores of Walsall followers have also booked up minibuses with some travel firms having seen their vehicles snapped up within days of the victory over Preston across two-legs.

The landmark Hoppy the Hippo has been temporarily painted red in the town centre, with businesses also encouraged to display the club's colours in support of the team.

There is also free parking in council car parks for those unable to attend Wembley, but wanting to watch on television at venues in the town centre.

Council transport chief Lee Jeavons said: "This is a really historic game in Walsall FC's history as it is the first time the club will have played at Wembley.

"Hopefully Dean and the boys can do the town proud and bring the trophy home. The club is taking thousands of supporters with them to London and I'm sure hundreds of others will be watching on big screens at venues across the town.

"As a council we want to encourage people to get behind them which is why we've decided to waive the parking charges this Sunday."

The players had a training session at the Banks's Stadium yesterday morning before boarding the team coach at 1pm.

They will come out on the pitch on Sunday dressed in the suits designed and fitted by Walsall-based designer Luke Perry.